"Emerson is a critic, poet, philosopher, with talent not
so conspicuous, not so adequate to his task; but his field is still
higher, his task more arduous. Lives a far more intense life; seeks to
realize a divine life; his affections and intellect equally developed.
Has advanced farther, and a new heaven opens to him. Love and Friendship,
Religion, Poetry, the Holy are familiar to him. The life of an Artist;
more variegated, more observing, finer perception; not so robust, elastic;
practical enough in his field; faithful, a judge of men. There is no such
general critic of men and things, no such trustworthy and faithful man.
More of the divine realized in him than in any."
-- from Thoreau's journal